Global Payments Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Global Payments is a leading financial technology company dedicated to facilitating secure transactions for millions of buyers and sellers worldwide through innovative payment solutions.

As a Software Engineer at Global Payments, you will play a crucial role throughout the software development life cycle, leveraging your expertise in various programming languages and architectures. Your key responsibilities will include designing, coding, debugging, maintaining, and validating applications while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, business analysts, and quality assurance engineers. You will be expected to create detailed specifications, user stories, and acceptance criteria, ensuring the products you develop meet both functional and non-functional requirements.

To excel in this role, you should possess a strong background in Agile/Scrum methodologies and experience with modern programming languages such as C#, Java, and SQL. Additionally, familiarity with cloud platforms and a proactive mindset towards problem-solving will set you apart. A true fit for Global Payments will be a self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment, is willing to embrace new technologies, and is passionate about delivering high-quality software solutions.

This guide aims to equip you with the insights and tools necessary to prepare effectively for your interview, ultimately helping you showcase your skills and alignment with the company's values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at Global Payments is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages designed to evaluate a candidate's proficiency in software development, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration skills.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which usually takes place over the phone. This 15-30 minute conversation is conducted by a recruiter who will discuss the role, the company culture, and your background. The recruiter will assess your interest in the position and determine if your skills align with the requirements of the role.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment. This can take the form of a coding challenge or a technical interview conducted via video conferencing. During this stage, you will be asked to solve coding problems that may involve algorithms, data structures, and specific programming languages relevant to the role, such as Java or C#. You may also be required to demonstrate your understanding of software design principles and best practices.

3. In-Depth Technical Interview

The next step typically involves a more in-depth technical interview with one or more senior developers or team leads. This interview focuses on your technical expertise, including your experience with software development life cycles, Agile methodologies, and specific technologies like SQL, REST APIs, and cloud platforms. Expect to discuss your previous projects, the challenges you faced, and how you approached problem-solving in those situations.

4. Behavioral Interview

In addition to technical skills, Global Payments places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and collaboration. A behavioral interview will assess your soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. You may be asked to provide examples of how you have worked in teams, handled conflicts, or contributed to project success in previous roles.

5. Final Interview

The final stage of the interview process may involve a meeting with higher-level management or cross-functional team members. This interview is often more strategic, focusing on your long-term career goals, your understanding of the company's mission, and how you can contribute to its success. It may also include discussions about your leadership potential and how you can mentor junior team members.

Throughout the interview process, be prepared to showcase your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative mindset.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews at Global Payments.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Global Payments values collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality solutions. Familiarize yourself with their mission and recent projects. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's goals and how you can contribute to their success.

Prepare for Technical Proficiency

Given the emphasis on programming languages and frameworks, ensure you are well-versed in languages like C#, Java, and SQL. Brush up on your knowledge of design patterns, object-oriented programming principles, and Agile methodologies. Be ready to demonstrate your coding skills through practical exercises or coding challenges, as these are common in the interview process.

Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills

Interviews at Global Payments often focus on your ability to analyze complex problems and propose effective solutions. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully tackled challenges, particularly in a team setting. Highlight your analytical thinking and how you approach problem-solving in a structured manner.

Showcase Your Agile Experience

Since the role involves working within Agile Scrum teams, be prepared to discuss your experience with Agile methodologies. Share examples of how you have contributed to Agile ceremonies, such as sprint planning, retrospectives, and daily stand-ups. Demonstrating your understanding of Agile principles will show that you can effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Effective communication is crucial in a collaborative environment. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain your technical decisions and the rationale behind them. Additionally, be open to feedback and demonstrate your willingness to learn and adapt.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect questions that assess your teamwork, adaptability, and conflict resolution skills. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. This will help you provide comprehensive answers that showcase your experiences and how they relate to the role.

Follow Up with Questions

At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, project methodologies, and future challenges the company anticipates. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Global Payments. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Global Payments. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of software development methodologies, particularly Agile and Scrum. Be prepared to discuss your experience with various programming languages, database management, and application design principles.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a List and a Set in Java?

Understanding the differences between data structures is crucial for effective coding.

How to Answer

Discuss the key characteristics of both data structures, such as ordering, duplication, and performance implications.

Example

“A List maintains the order of elements and allows duplicates, while a Set does not maintain order and does not allow duplicates. For example, if I need to store a collection of unique items, I would choose a Set, but if I need to maintain the order of insertion, I would opt for a List.”

2. How would you merge two sorted arrays?

This question tests your algorithmic thinking and coding skills.

How to Answer

Outline the approach you would take, such as using two pointers to traverse both arrays.

Example

“I would initialize two pointers, one for each array, and compare the elements they point to. I would add the smaller element to a new array and move the corresponding pointer forward. This process continues until all elements from both arrays are merged.”

3. What are the key principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)?

OOP is fundamental in software engineering, and understanding its principles is essential.

How to Answer

Discuss the four main principles: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction.

Example

“OOP is based on four key principles: encapsulation, which restricts access to certain components; inheritance, which allows a class to inherit properties from another; polymorphism, which enables methods to do different things based on the object; and abstraction, which simplifies complex systems by modeling classes based on essential properties.”

4. Can you explain the Factory Design Pattern?

This question assesses your knowledge of design patterns and their applications.

How to Answer

Describe the pattern and its purpose in creating objects without specifying the exact class of object that will be created.

Example

“The Factory Design Pattern provides a way to create objects without specifying the exact class of object that will be created. It defines an interface for creating an object, but allows subclasses to alter the type of objects that will be created. This promotes loose coupling in the code.”

5. How do you ensure that an API contract does not change for consumers?

This question evaluates your understanding of API design and versioning.

How to Answer

Discuss strategies such as versioning, backward compatibility, and thorough documentation.

Example

“To ensure that an API contract remains stable for consumers, I would implement versioning in the API endpoints, maintain backward compatibility by not removing existing features, and provide comprehensive documentation to inform consumers of any changes.”

Database and SQL

1. How would you write a SQL query to find employees with a salary greater than 10k?

This question tests your SQL skills and understanding of database queries.

How to Answer

Outline the SQL syntax and logic you would use to construct the query.

Example

“I would write a SQL query like this: SELECT * FROM employees WHERE salary > 10000; This query retrieves all records from the employees table where the salary exceeds 10,000.”

2. What is the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases?

Understanding the differences between these database types is crucial for modern application development.

How to Answer

Discuss the key differences in structure, scalability, and use cases.

Example

“SQL databases are relational and use structured query language for defining and manipulating data, while NoSQL databases are non-relational and can store unstructured data. SQL databases are typically used for complex queries and transactions, whereas NoSQL databases are better suited for large volumes of data and flexible schemas.”

3. Can you explain what a JOIN is in SQL?

This question assesses your knowledge of relational databases and how to combine data from multiple tables.

How to Answer

Describe the different types of JOINs and their purposes.

Example

“A JOIN in SQL is used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column. There are several types of JOINs: INNER JOIN returns records with matching values in both tables, LEFT JOIN returns all records from the left table and matched records from the right, and RIGHT JOIN does the opposite.”

4. How do you optimize a SQL query?

This question evaluates your understanding of performance tuning in databases.

How to Answer

Discuss techniques such as indexing, query restructuring, and analyzing execution plans.

Example

“To optimize a SQL query, I would first analyze the execution plan to identify bottlenecks. Then, I would consider adding indexes to columns that are frequently used in WHERE clauses or JOIN conditions. Additionally, restructuring the query to reduce complexity can also improve performance.”

5. What are stored procedures, and when would you use them?

This question tests your understanding of database programming.

How to Answer

Explain what stored procedures are and their benefits.

Example

“Stored procedures are precompiled collections of SQL statements that can be executed as a single unit. They are useful for encapsulating complex business logic, improving performance by reducing network traffic, and enhancing security by controlling access to data.”

Agile and Scrum

1. Can you describe your experience with Agile methodologies?

This question assesses your familiarity with Agile practices.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience working in Agile teams and your understanding of Agile principles.

Example

“I have worked in Agile teams for several years, participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. I appreciate the iterative approach of Agile, which allows for continuous feedback and adaptation, ensuring that the final product meets user needs.”

2. How do you handle scope creep in a project?

This question evaluates your project management skills and ability to maintain focus.

How to Answer

Discuss strategies for managing scope and communicating with stakeholders.

Example

“To handle scope creep, I would first ensure that all project requirements are clearly defined and documented. If new requests arise, I would assess their impact on the project timeline and resources, and communicate with stakeholders to prioritize them appropriately, ensuring that the core objectives remain on track.”

3. What is the role of a Scrum Master?

This question tests your understanding of Scrum roles and responsibilities.

How to Answer

Describe the key responsibilities of a Scrum Master in facilitating the Scrum process.

Example

“A Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating Scrum ceremonies, removing impediments for the team, and ensuring that Agile principles are followed. They act as a servant leader, helping the team to improve their processes and communication while fostering a collaborative environment.”

4. How do you prioritize tasks in a sprint?

This question evaluates your ability to manage workload and deliverables.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization based on business value and team capacity.

Example

“I prioritize tasks in a sprint by collaborating with the Product Owner to understand the business value of each item. I also consider the team’s capacity and any dependencies between tasks to ensure that we focus on delivering the most impactful features first.”

5. Can you explain the concept of a user story?

This question assesses your understanding of Agile documentation practices.

How to Answer

Describe what a user story is and its components.

Example

“A user story is a brief description of a feature from the perspective of the end user. It typically follows the format: ‘As a [user type], I want [goal] so that [reason].’ This format helps to clarify the user’s needs and the value of the feature being developed.”